San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong makes his first appearance in a spring training game against the Kansas City Royals Monday, March 26, 2012 in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Though there were a fair number of negatives for the Giants on that list, the biggest development Monday was Ryan Vogelsong's Cactus League debut, which was a smashing success.

Vogelsong threw 39 pitches in a 4-2 victory against the Royals and was so economical, he lasted into the third inning. He allowed two doubles, one of which should have been ruled an error on Nate Schierholtz, walked none and struck out Billy Butler and Mike Moustakas on curveballs.

With Barry Zito struggling and Surkamp now on the shelf with a flexor-tendon strain, Vogelsong's outing cheered the Giants immensely.

"Huge relief," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's so important to this rotation and this club. He's one of our guys. It's nice to see him on track. We have a plan for him to pitch on the 15th, and he's on his way to that."

Vogelsong will throw 50 pitches against the Reds on Saturday, then probably stay in Arizona while the team heads north and make two starts in extended spring training to prepare for an April 15 season debut.

Vogelsong was annoyed that he was yanked after one inning in a minor-league game last week, so he was happy to make his 40 pitches against Kansas City last into the third, particularly because he felt better the longer he pitched.

The right-hander considered this a huge step in his comeback from a pre-camp back injury.

"You can't simulate game speed," he said. "To get that out of the way, I'll be able to relax my mind a little bit. Now I can start getting ready for the season, working on pitches and location, and put this back thing behind me."

As Vogelsong came up, Surkamp went down. The left-hander was having a fine spring that firmly established him as the first starter to be summoned from the minors if needed. But after throwing nearly 90 pitches against Cleveland on Wednesday, he developed elbow soreness and could not play catch.

He was relieved to hear that an MRI found no structural damage. He said he might resume throwing "in a week or two."

The Giants have one of the majors' best rotations but little depth in case one of their starters gets hurt. To lose Surkamp when the timing of Vogelsong's return remains uncertain must make the front office uncomfortable.

The Giants released Ortiz, who has plenty of starting experience - but the Giants view the 39-year-old as a reliever now, and he was not going to make the team.

Team officials believe they have found a potential starter in 27-year-old Yusmeiro Petit, who has not pitched in the majors since 2009 but has thrown well in the minor-league camp and will start Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Also Wednesday, Sanchez is expected to return to work after two days off following a cortisone shot in his surgically repaired shoulder. A team spokesman said the injection was administered after the second baseman's rehab "plateaued."

The question now is not whether Sanchez will start Opening Day on the disabled list, but how many weeks he will stay there.

Theriot, a candidate to replace Sanchez, was bloodied badly when a pickoff throw from Vogelsong deflected off his glove, then hit his nose after it ricocheted off the leg of baserunner Alcides Escobar. Theriot left the game. Bochy believes X-rays were negative.